While they agree on who will win this award and who could be the spoiler, Gold Derby’s music experts Darrin Dortch and David Schnelwar disagree about who should win. All that is left to predict in the country field is the album race, with forecasts already made for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
BEST COUNTRY SONG
“The Breath You Take,” George Strait
“Free,” Zac Brown Band
“The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert
“I’d Love To Be Your Last,” Gretchen Wilson
“If I Die Young,” The Band Perry
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
Darrin’s take: This is a strong lineup, but “Need You Now” and “The House That Built Me” are both Song of the Year nominees so they’re the frontrunners. The former was a big crossover hit and will likely win something in the General Field so Lady Antebellum has the edge here.
Will win: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
Should win: “Free,” Zac Brown Band
Spoiler: “The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert
David’s take: “Need You Now” is nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year making it the frontrunner. “The House That Built Me,” also nominated for Song of the Year, is the only other song that could win.
Will win: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
Should win: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
Spoiler: “The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert
PREDICTIONS IN OTHER FIELDS
ALTERNATIVE: Best Alternative Music Album
ROCK: Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Rock Solo Performance with Vocals
R&B: Best R&B Song, Best Urban/Alternative Performance, Best R&B Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocals, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
POP: Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, Best Pop Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocals, Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
DANCE: Best Electronic/Dance Album and Best Dance Recording
RAP: Best Rap Song, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Duo or Group, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Solo Performance
